Throne of Truth (Truth and Lies Duet #2)(18)

Hitting his arm, I scooted backward. My toes landed on the chain, making me wince. “Get away from me.”

He walked with me, his fingers never loosening, curling tighter around my core beneath the stupid negligée. He didn’t let go as I scratched his wrist, tugging for him to let me go.

I repelled backward so fast, I slammed into the wall, giving him the perfect purchase to slap his free hand onto the upright surface by my head and press a finger inside me.

I shuddered in grotesque denial.

I was dry. It hurt. It was brutal rather than blissful.

My mind shattered, begging for Penn and the wizardry of his touch. He made me wet even while he confused me with stories. He made me come even while I denied how much I liked him.

Penn was a master manipulator.

Greg was just the devil.

I wanted him out of my life and far away from me.

I want him dead.

I shoved him, the chains around my wrists clinking loudly.

He grabbed the metal, hoisting it up, giving my arms no way to disobey before being yanked upright and pinned against the wall.

“This...Elle, your fucking pussy is mine.” His voice became thick and cruel. “I’m going to have you. I’m going to fuck you. I’ve waited as long as I can. You wear my ring, you’ve slept in my bed, I’ve washed you in my shower. You no longer belong to him but me, get it?”

His finger hooked inside, his nail scraping delicate flesh. “I’m going to fuck you the minute lunch is finished.”

Withdrawing his touch, he let me go and pointed at the kitchen. “Now, get in there and finish making me food like a good little wife.”





Chapter Ten


Penn


THE MERC’S ENGINE snarled as I pressed the accelerator as far to the floor as possible.

Thirty-two minutes and Larry still hadn’t called.

But I didn’t care.

I had to stay on the move. Otherwise, I’d fucking take my rage out on an innocent tree and end up hurting myself in the process.

And I was hurt enough.

I didn’t know if I was going in the right direction or wrong. I had no clue if Elle was still safe or if Greg had done something un-fucking-forgivable.

All I had was the hope I’d be on time.

Tearing down a country road, I jumped as my phone ring-tone split the air.

Answering with hands-free, I grunted, “Where am I going, Larry?”

“Cherry Cove, Medina.”

“Hotel or private house?”

“Fishing chalet.”

“His?”

“Not sure. Couldn’t find any records of him buying another property.”

“How do you know she’s there then?”

“He bought another car—under a friend’s name, but he helped secure the finance. The Dodge Charger is equipped with antitheft GPS. I had someone who owed me a favor switch it on. The car is outside the address I’ve sent to your inbox. I used Google maps to see what sort of abode it was.”

“Your sleuthing never fails to impress me.”

Larry’s voice hid a smile. “You can tell me how great I am later. Get her back, Penn, and then you’re fixing this. You’re telling that poor girl everything. You’re going to be honest.”

I bared my teeth but nodded reluctantly, knowing she’d never want to see me again. “Fine.”

I pressed end, downshifted, and grinned at the growling engine as I cannon-fired after Greg.

According to my GPS, I was just over an hour away.

A mere hour until Elle was mine again and then all my lies would be revealed.

But, at least, she would be safe.

I would be fucking heartbroken, but she would be back where she belonged.

Without me in her world.





Chapter Eleven


Elle


THE PASTA SAT like glue in my stomach.

I’d eaten because I was hungry, but the much-loathed company made nutrition unwanted by my body.

Greg slurped at the tagliatelle, swiping at globs of pesto sauce that splashed against his cheeks.

He grinned as he swirled more pasta onto his fork. “You really are a good cook, Elle.”

“You’re lucky I didn’t poison you.”

He chuckled. “There’s nothing here to poison me with.” He took another bite, eating with his mouth full. Steve would swat him if he saw—he’d been trying to break him of that habit since Greg was little. “No bleach, no cleaning products. Nothing that can harm.”

I reached for my water glass, hating how the links clinked over the table and threatened to slide through my lunch. Hoisting my other wrist, I balanced the foot of chain above the plate and awkwardly took a drink.

Greg never took his eyes off me.

Bastard.

I glanced out the window at the sparkling lake and sunshine. If I were here with any other person, it would be the perfect vacation away from working so hard. A vacation I’d never had. I would walk around the lake, have a picnic, read a book beneath a tree, and then come back and make love to whoever had brought me here.

Penn.

You would’ve made love to Penn.

I shut down my thoughts.

I didn’t want him in my head.

He wasn’t allowed or permitted inside my mind anymore. Twenty-four hours ago, I would’ve given him the benefit of the doubt and listened to what he had to say.